Natasha Draycott

Year of Call: 2005

A "brilliant" and "tenacious" advocate who attracts praise for her thorough preparation of cases and her ability to "make judges relax when she stands up because they're confident in what she's saying."

Chambers and Partners

Our specialist clerks can be contacted by email on clerks@5sah.co.uk or phone on 020 7332 5400. To contact our Chambers Director directly in relation to a specific members’ practice, please email dscothern@5sah.co.uk

‘She has the ability to think outside the box and raise novel grounds against extradition, and she is open-minded and innovative.’

The Legal 500 2024 | Tier 1

"An excellent barrister, who is very knowledgeable on extradition matters."

The Legal 500

"She can make the most complex arguments straightforward and comprehensible. Her advocacy style is relaxed and well received by judges at all levels."

The Legal 500

"A "brilliant" and "tenacious" advocate who attracts praise for her thorough preparation of cases and her ability to make judges relax when she stands up because they're confident in what she's saying."

The Legal 500

"An outstanding barrister and a dream to work with; collaborative, very diligent and clients love her."

The Legal 500

Overview

Natasha is one of the most highly regarded and sought-after juniors at the UK Bar.   Her practice is focused on Extradition and International Crime and Public Law. She is recognised as a leader in her field by the Legal 500, Tier 1, and Chambers and Partners. She was appointed to the prestigious Attorney General Panel in 2021.

Natasha Draycott was been nominated as Crime and Extradition junior of the year (2022), at the Legal 500, UK Bar Awards.

Natasha’s position at the cutting edge of extradition cases is confirmed by what others say about her (quotes taken from Chambers and Partners Guide to the UK Bar and the Legal 500):

"She has excellent advocacy skills. Her arguments are articulate and precise. Her legal advice in this field is of a high standard and her written arguments are always well drafted."

The Legal 500

“Natasha Draycott has very strong advocacy skills and a high level of expertise and knowledge.”

Chambers & Partners 2024.

“Natasha Draycott is an extraordinary, multifaceted extradition barrister.”

Chambers & Partners 2024.

"A charming and compelling advocate who is tremendous on her feet and impresses the bench."

The Legal 500

"Highly intelligent with an incisive mind she has a fantastic ability to win cases which initially don't appear winnable."

The Legal 500

"She is the type of counsel that solicitors love working with. Both engaging and responsive, she really works with you on a case. Clients really like her as she is charming, down to earth and tenacious."

The Legal 500

Natasha’s case load consists entirely of multijurisdictional work and predominantly “Part 2” cases. Natasha acts in complex and serious matters such as murder, terrorism, financial crime and serious sexual offences. Her cases often involve politically and financially sensitive issues. She has a busy appellate practice and has appeared in over 250 cases in the Administrative and Divisional Courts. She represents high net worth individuals and is counsel of choice for a number of leading national and international law firms.

Natasha advises on issues in relation to challenging and removing INTERPOL Red Notices, sanctions and requests for mutual legal assistance. Natasha’s commitment to prompt and efficient pre-litigation advice and strategy yields excellent results for her clients. She is also experienced in related applications for injunctions, Judicial Review, habeas corpus and applications for interim relief from the European Court of Human Rights pursuant to Rule 39.  

Her expertise is recognised by instructions in recent and high-profile cases involving: the USA, the Russian Federation, India, Brazil, Australia, UAE, Switzerland, Albania, Turkey, Thailand.

Current and recent instructions include:  

  • USA v K- Acting for a US citizen charged with conspiracy to commit a multimillion-dollar wire fraud. Raising forum and complex jurisdictional arguments.
  • USA v S- Acting for a US citizen and working with International law firm Dechert Law on issues relating to human trafficking.
  • USA v K- Acting for US Citizen in a $80 m cyber fraud.
  • Romania v A - Acting for a Romanian Billionaire opposing his extradition on grounds of political bias.
  • India v S - Acting for a defendant alleged to be the ‘mastermind’ of one of the largest drug trafficking rings from India to the UK. The case involves highly complex prima facie case evidence.
  • Brazil v B- Acting for a gay Brazilian defendant charged with murder related to a drug trafficking war. Issues include discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and degrading treatment/torture in Brazilian prisons. 
  • Australia v H- Acting for a 94-year-old male charged with multiple counts of indecent assault on his granddaughter who was under 13.
  • Switzerland v M- Acting for a defendant who is the victim of human trafficking and modern slavery. 
  • Bermuda v Z- Acting for a defendant charged with child sex offences
  • Turkey v K-Acting for a defendant charged with offences of wounding with intent who was sought for political reasons. Issues raised in relation to torture in Turkish prisons.
  • India v K- Acting for a defendant charged with offences of child abduction.
  • Albania v G- Acting for a defendant charged with terrorism offences and a triple murder. He was recently discharged following a double jeopardy argument.
  • UAE v A- Acting for a defendant in a request from the UAE for cheque fraud allegations.

 

"Very diligent and a great court performer."

The Legal 500

"She is very dogged: she doesn't let go of a point and is very effective either prosecuting or defending."

The Legal 500

"She is brilliant with clients and commands a great deal of trust from them"

The Legal 500

"A fantastic advocate"

The Legal 500

Media Work:

Natasha’s reputation as a leading junior in her fields, has led to requests for her appearance as an expert in the media for a number of providers; the BBC, ITV, Sky News and Channel 4 News. Natasha welcomes further enquiries from media outlets. Natasha frequently presents lectures on issues relating to extradition and she has recently co-authored the Chambers & Partners Extradition Overview.

Other Appointments:

  • Attorney General's Panel of Counsel (Civil C).
  • Specialist Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Specialist advocate: Extradition: Level 2.

 

Extradition & International

Natasha’s case load consists entirely of multijurisdictional work and predominantly “Part 2” cases. Natasha acts in complex and serious matters such as murder, terrorism, financial crime and serious sexual offences. Her cases often involve politically and financially sensitive issues. She has a busy appellate practice and has appeared in over 250 cases in the Administrative and Divisional Courts. She represents high net worth individuals and is counsel of choice for a number of leading national and international law firms.

Natasha advises on issues in relation to challenging and removing INTERPOL Red Notices, sanctions and requests for mutual legal assistance. Natasha’s commitment to prompt and efficient pre-litigation advice and strategy yields excellent results for her clients. She is also experienced in related applications for injunctions, Judicial Review, habeas corpus and applications for interim relief from the European Court of Human Rights pursuant to Rule 39.  

Her expertise is recognised by instructions in recent and high-profile cases involving: the USA, the Russian Federation, India, Brazil, Australia, UAE, Switzerland, Albania, Turkey, Thailand.

Immigration

Natasha also accepts immigration instructions.

Judicial Review & Public Law

Natasha is experienced in public law and in particular the operation of public law in the context of criminal litigation and extradition proceedings. She acts for government departments and understands the sensitivities involved in undertaking government work.